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Author: Gary Scharrer

The judge presiding over the school finance trial underway in an Austin courtroom shared some personal testimony Wednesday while San Benito CISD Superintendent Antonio Limon took the stand to chronicle hardships in his South Texas school district. At one point, Limon made a reference to neighboring Kenedy County. 250th District Judge John Dietz stopped the …

Documentary film maker Scott Thurman expected his examination of how Texas develops science and history curriculum standards for public schools would be “a hit piece” on right-wing extremists pushing creationism for science and political ideology for history. Don McLeroy, the controversial and former chairman of the State Board of Education plays a key role in …

Texans who want an extra letter to personalize a vehicle license plate have until 7 a.m. Monday (Oct 15) to place their order. Usually, the maximum letters allowed is six. So…a phase such as “BIGMAMA” wouldn’t be available. “7 letters let Texans tell stories on personalized license plates in a way they’d not been able …

The school funding debate shifts to Texas high school football in a new video highlighting a campaign about the impact education budget cuts are having beyond the classroom. The video, “Will Our Friday Night Lights Go Out,” is produced by the Progress Texas PAC as part of a campaign the group has launched called “Save …

Liberty Institute has launched Texas Values, a new Texas-focused effort, dedicated to the preservation of Texas’ most precious values — faith, family, and freedom. Texas Values is dedicated to preserving and advancing a culture of family values in the state of Texas. Texas Values actively stands for biblical, Judeo-Christian values by ensuring Texas is a …

One of the major points in the upcoming school finance trial will focus on whether the state of Texas must spend more money on public education or simply reallocate existing dollars, says David Thompson, lead lawyer for one of the parties in the lawsuit. Lawyers are already taking depositions from school superintendents, education experts and …

A record number of Texas school districts are now considered property wealthy and required to share their local tax revenue with the state under the so-called “Robin Hood” plan. A total of 374 school districts will be required to share their property wealth during the 2012-2013 school year, including 23 school districts appearing on that …

Gov. Rick Perry says he’s tooting the state’s horn during meetings with European business and government leaders in an effort to expand tourism and commerce. Perry and his wife are spending 7 days in Italy to push economic development, talking to leaders “about the Texas formula of low taxes, reasonable regulation, a fair legal system …

Gov. Rick Perry followed Texas A&M’s first game as a member of the Southeastern Conference Saturday from a computer in Italy where he is promoting trade and economic development for the state. Perry, an Aggie alum, accessed the game from his computer late at night in Italy. “I watched the second half. Maybe I should …

Belt-tightening in both good and bad times is starving the state’s future, particularly when it comes to health care and education, according to a new coalition that formed to educate lawmakers “as to what Texas people need and want.” Austere budgets have ruled the day in recent years when economic hard times influenced Texas lawmakers …